BioCryst expects to file an investigational new drug application on the compound BCX5191 in the fourth quarter. BioCryst believes BCX5191 can be developed into a drug with once-a-day dosing with fewer side effects than the existing slate of hepatitis C drugs. The treatment will address a market of more than 170 million hepatitis C patients worldwide.

While Durham, North Carolina-based BioCryst plans to conduct early stage clinical trials for its hepatitis C treatment candidate, CEO Jon Stonehouse has said that the company wants to partner with a large pharmaceutical company for late-stage development and commercialization of the drug. Stonehouse said the compound needs a Big Pharma company with the resources to finance the large, global clinical studies needed to develop BCX5191.